Probe begins into crash of plane into power lines

A federal probe began Monday into what caused a small plane to crash into a power line tower and power lines Sunday evening in Maryland, prompting a complex rescue effort to safely remove the pilot and passenger aboard.

The crash, in suburban Montgomery County outside Washington, D.C., also caused power outages to nearly 100,000 homes and businesses and led the state’s largest school district to cancel classes. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board said Monday they are investigating the incident.

The single-engine Mooney M20J crashed into wires near Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg about 5:40 p.m. Sunday, the FAA said.